WJPA Sports

PITTSBURGH (AP) — Ryan O’Hearn blasted three home runs and set a franchise record with 10 RBIs as the Pirates drilled Atlanta 12-4. The first baseman hit his third career grand slam in the first inning and added three-run shots in the third and the sixth as Pittsburgh ran its winning streak to three. O’Hearn’s historic performance helped Pirates ace Paul Skenes pick up his first win in nearly two months. The reigning National League Cy Young winner allowed two runs in six innings to notch his first victory since May 12. The NL East-leading Braves have dropped three straight.

NEW YORK (AP) — Pitchers Paul Skenes, Jacob Misiorowski and Max Meyer have been ruled out of next week’s All-Star Game. They were replaced Tuesday by Riley O’Brien of St. Louis, Philadelphia’s Jesus Luzardo and Pittsburgh’s Braxton Ashcraft. Also, Boston first baseman Willson Contreras was selected as a replacement for Toronto’s Vladimir Guerrero Jr., who is opting to rest his ailing back during the break. Skenes, Misiorowski and Meyer are scheduled to start their teams’ final games before the break on Sunday. All three replacement pitchers are All-Stars for the first time. Contreras is now a four-time All-Star.

PITTSBURGH (AP) — Pittsburgh Pirates rookie shortstop Konnor Griffin is back on the injured list. The club says the 20-year-old is expected to miss at least two months due to an injury to the knuckle of the ring finger on his left hand. Griffin sustained the injury while making a diving grab in a victory over Washington on Sunday. Griffin has been a standout for the Pirates this season, hitting .276 with five homers and 20 stolen bases in 59 games. Jared Triolo will fill in at shortstop. Pittsburgh called up infielder Jack Brannigan from Triple-A Indianapolis to take Griffin’s spot on the roster.

ATLANTA (AP) — Lionel Messi did it yet again at this year’s World Cup. The Argentina great scored once while inspiring his team to an improbable 3-2 victory over Egypt despite trailing by two goals with only 11 minutes to play. The defending champions will next face either Switzerland or Colombia in quarterfinals on Saturday in Kansas City, Missouri. Messi, who was in tears after the final whistle, scored his eighth goal of this year’s tournament in the 83rd minute to level the score at 2-2. It was his record-extending 21st at the World Cup. Enzo Fernandez scored the winning goal in stoppage time.